Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

Vol 17, Issue 3, 2015; Page No.(527-532)

PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE OF HELMINTHES EGGS ISOLATED FROM RAW VEGETABLES OBTAINED FROM FARMS AND THOSE SOLD WITHIN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

A.J. DADA, J.R. WARTU, AUTA T. AND A.W. DIYA

Abstract

Vegetables serve as supplementary diet to the residents of Kaduna metropolis. Some leafy vegetables such as Cabbage are mostly consumed raw to harness the natural nutritive value. Improperly processed vegetables are common source of helminthes eggs leading to gastrointestinal tract infections. A total of 240 market and farm raw vegetable samples were screened for helminthes eggs and cysts. Sedimentation technique and NaNO3 floatation methods were adopted for the assay. Kasuwan Barchi had the highest level of helminthes egg contamination (33.3%) in the study, followed by Kawo market (23.3%), Sabo market (10.0%) and least contamination by Central market (5.0%). There was no significant difference between Market kiosk/shed sold vegetables and farm raw vegetables. However, the former had a higher prevalence of 71.6%, than the later (66.7%). Helminthes egg isolated from the vegetable in ascending order include: Hookworm (5.0%), S. stercoralis (7.5%). Trichuris trichiura (8.3%) and A. lumbricoides (25.8%). Likewise, Trichuris trichiura (4.2%), Fasciola spp (8.3%), hookworm (8.3%), Toxocara spp (8.3), S. stercoralis (12.5%) and A. lumbricoides (16.7%) were isolated from the various farm soils. Furthermore, Giardia lamblia cyst (1.0%), E. histolytica cyst (1.0%) and Fasciola spp (2.1%) were isolated from the farm soils. A. lumbricoides (8.3%), Schistosome spp (2.1%) and Entamoeba coli cyst (2.1%) and S. stercoralis (1.0%) were isolated from the irrigation water. Cabbage had the highest percentage (20.8%) of vegetable helminthes egg contamination and least by garden egg (3.1%). The result of this finding revealed an alarming prevalence of helminth eggs in vegetables obtained both from the farm and in the market. There is need for public enlightenment for farmers on their choice of manure for their gardens. Market women selling vegetables also need to be enlightened on the need to properly wash the farm produce before displaying them for sale.

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